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Cuisine
Italian
Italian food is one of the most popular forms of cuisine around the world, and has infiltrated its way into the regular diets of many people in western countries.
An Italian diet contains many grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruit. These are very healthy foods, and it is well known that the Mediterranean diet has many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and many types of cancer. However, over consumption of Italian food can add many pounds around the waist so diners need to exercise caution.
Common dishes include:
Pizza - Flat bread topped with a variety of toppings, commonly including tomato sauce, cheese, meats, and vegetables.
Ravioli - stuffed pasta that may be filled with combinations of vegetable, meats, ricotta, fish and chicken.
Tortellini, Fettuccini, Spaghetti, Gnocchi and more
Types of pasta sauce include:
Napolitana, puttanesca, carbonara, lasagne, bolognese and more
 Chapter One Caffe Cucina (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Fantastic Italian restaurant hidden at the quiet end of Abbott Street. The coffee is magnificent, and the service warm and friendly. Very highly recommended with a good selection of Italian dishes.
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| (07) 40313505 | 92 Abbott St
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| Marina View Restaurant (More Info) |
Port Douglas |
It doesn't get much better than this. Located on the boardwalk at Marina Mirage, overlooking the yachts moored at the marina, this Italian Seafood restaurant makes the most of the thriving seafood industry working from Port Douglas. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is a great restaurant.
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| (07) 40995548 | Marina Mirage
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| Perrottas at The Gallery (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
Popular for brunch and lunch, particularly at the weekends, browse Cairns Regional Art Gallery, as the Perottas is just outside. Claimants to The Best Coffee in Cairns title with an outstanding location. Innovative modern Italian/Mediterranean menu. This is Cairns' only all-outdoors restaurant.
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| (07) 40315899 | Cnr Shields & Abbott Sts (Regional Gallery)
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| Villa Romana Trattoria (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
Sensational location with an abundance of alfresco tables, Villa Romana is the celeb spotting restaurant of Cairns, often advertising in magazines with pictures of the latest famous faces in Cairns. Combines traditional and innovative Italian cuisine.
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| (07) 4051 9000 | Cnr Esplanade & Aplin Sts
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| Bel Paese (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
A cute Italian restaurant with a warm friendly atmosphere and genuine, tasty cuisine. The kind of trattoria you'd expect to discover accidently tucked away in a quaint alleyway in Sardinia. Great location for people watching, al fresco dinners and casual romance.
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| (07) 4051 6165 | 45 Spence St
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| Bistro 3 (More Info) |
Port Douglas |
Tropical Italian dining at an indoor/outdoor setting. La Cucina makes the most of the wonderful seafood caught around Port Douglas, incorporating it into their meals along with other fresh tropical ingredients. A relaxed and informal dining experience, great for the whole family. This restaurant was formerly known as Sassi Cucina.
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| (07) 4099 6100 | Cnr Macrossan & Wharf Sts
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| Blue Mango Cafe Wine Bar (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
A funky location with a lengthy wine list, Blue Mango is a popular after work venue on a Friday with locals; Miles Away, a funky jazz band plays regularly. Innovative cocktails and interesting pizzas keep the regulars coming back. Great views of the Esplanade.
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| (07) 40316297 | 209-217 The Esplanade (Mercure Harbourside Hotel)
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| Del Sapore (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
The latest addition to the bustling Esplanade is Del Sapore. Spacious location and superb views. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.
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| (07) 4041 7977 | Shop 1/77 Esplanade, Cairns 4870 Queensland
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| Donnini's Ciao Italia (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
An authentic Italian restaurant & cafe inside The Pier Marketplace. Donnini's Ciao Italia features an open kitchen, highly attentive staff, and some of the best Italian food available in Cairns. 1 Review.
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| (07) 40511133 | The Pier Marketplace
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| Fasta Pasta (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Pasta that's fasta than the rest. For a quick, quality meal, Fasta Pasta is excellent value for money, and ideal for family dining. Laid back and informal, with a licensed bar. 1 Review.
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| (07) 40410388 | 68 Shields St (Cnr Sheridan St)
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| Fiorellis Bistro (More Info) |
Port Douglas |
Conveniently located on the boardwalk overlooking the marina in Port Douglas, Fiorelli's menu is dominated by fresh seafood and pasta. Ideal spot for breakfast.
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| (07) 40995201 | Shop 16 Marina Mirage
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| Joeseppes Pizza & Pasta (More Info) |
Edmonton |
Joeseppes Pizza & Pasta is an established family-run traditional Italian takeaway in Edmonton. Pizzas from here are a delicious quick dinner if you live on the southside of Cairns. Great takeaway Italian food.
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| (07) 40555655 | 159 Bruce Hwy
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| L'Unico Trattoria Italiano (More Info) |
Trinity Beach |
A stunning location on the Trinity Beach Esplanade, L'Unicois designed for diners to take advantage of their gorgeous surroundings... wide, open verandahs with large doors and windows. Playful and efficient staff marry a delicious array of interesting menu items. L'unico is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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| (07) 4057 8855 | Cnr Vasey Esp & Trinity Beach Rd
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| La Fettuccina (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
A trendy Italian restaurant offering a comprehensive selection of pasta and seafood pasta dishes. Exceptional service and great food make LA Fettuccina a high calibre dining experience.
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| (07) 40315959 | 41 Shields St
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| La Fontana (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Unexpectedly, this restaurant has a fountain in the middle of the eating area... but also has spectacular Italian food! A rare treat to see an Italian menu with a non-pasta focus, La Fontana Restaurant has a friendly small restaurant atmosphere with a good range of well priced wines and outstanding desserts.
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| (07) 4031 1777 | 314 Mulgrave Rd
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| Marko's Pizza (More Info) |
Smithfield |
If you want a REAL pizza, not just a mass produced plate of Americanized Italian bread, then Marco's Pizza is the place to call. The authentic pizzas are delicious.
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| (07) 40382666 | Cook Hwy, Cnr Stanton Rd
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| Michaelangelo's Place (More Info) |
Port Douglas |
Woodfired Italian pizzas and pasta, in one of the worlds best location. Cheap, fun, delicious. What more could you ask for?
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| (07) 40994663 | 11 Saltwater / 26 Macrossan St
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| Monsoons (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
Monsoons is an ideal restaurant for family gatherings and friendly celebrations featuring Italian tropical fusion cuisine and an open kitchen. Try one of the many gorgeous seafood pasta dishes or one of Monsoon's Cairns-famous wood fired pizzas.
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| (07) 40411806 | Cnr Spence St & The Esplanade (Pacific International Hotel)
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| Nick's Restaurant (More Info) |
Yungaburra |
An Alpine Chalet Style restaurant, owners Gina & Nick are passionate about service and quality. The main feature of the restaurant is the Yodellers Bar, and it is not rare to find Nick yodelling with patrons and playing his piano accordian.
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| (07) 40953355 | 33 Gillies Hwy
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| Olanos Ristorante e Lounge Bar (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Olano's is a beautifully located restaurant and lounge bar overlooking Trinity Wharf. Perfect for large or small groups. The Sicilian head chef provides a fresh, interesting menu with Italian influence.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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| 4041 5002 | On the waterfront at Harbour Lights,
1 Marlin Pde
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| Oliveri's Continental Delicatessen (More Info) |
Innisfail |
Fantastic lunch rolls and sandwich options from an outstanding Italian delicatessan in the heart of Innisfail. Selling 60 cheeses and Italian favourites such as prosciutto, salamis, real ham off the bone, and their own marinated olives - get your supplies after lunch.
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| (07) 4061 3354 | 41 Edith St
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| Peppers Gourmet Pizza (More Info) |
Kuranda |
Gorgeous pasta with interesting Chef's Specials every night. Large range of pizzas, with outdoor dining on a huge balcony. Bookings Essential.
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| 07 40938733 | Barang St
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| Piccolo Cucina (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
A small, cosy, family-run restaurant located in Cairns city centre, Piccolo Cucina is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Cairns.
Piccolo and his family, along with experienced Italian chefs Michael and Fabrizio, strive to deliver the best quality Italian food in Far North Queensland (if not Australia!).
Recently winning Restaurant and Catering Queensland's "Best Italian Restaurant" award further proves that distinction.
Let Piccolo choose a wine from his selection of Australian and Italian wines to perfectly match your dish and be sure to try the daily chef's specials which use the best fresh produce of the day.
Piccolo Cucina is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday and for dinner on Saturdays.
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| (07) 4051 5137 | 92a Lake St, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia
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| Pinocchio's Pizza (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
The enticing aromas from Pinnocchio's Pizza will always make you want to stop and try one! Great views of the esplanade lagoon, and a perfect place on the weekends to just sit and watch the myriad of people walk by.
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| (07) 40519029 | 79 The Esplanade
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| Roscoe's Piazza (More Info) |
Innisfail |
Conveniently located on the highway, Roscoe's Piazza is a family Italian restaurant with a range of seafood, pizza, pasta, salads and a-la-carte meals. Well priced Reef & Beef buffets on Fridays, with a seafood buffet on Saturday and Sunday is pizza and pasta, salad and dessert.
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| (07) 4061 6888 | 3B Ernest St
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| Sassi at Bale (More Info) |
Port Douglas |
Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. 2008 Restaurant and Catering Award winners for Best Italian Restaurant in Far North Queensland.
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| (07) 4084 3000 | 1 Bale Dr, Port Douglas 4877 QLD, Australia
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| Tosca Trattoria (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
All you need is an appetite - Old World aromas, rustic warmth and recipes from the Italian countryside will sweep you away - Pizza from the oven, seasoned meats and fish cooked to perfection... Look out for the half price pizza & pasta specials on Tuesday! Remember to book on weeknights for a free movie ticket with any meal over $25.
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| (07) 40410822 | Shop 145 Cairns Central
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| Tropos (More Info) |
Earlville |
Real pizza - the way it was meant to be made. Tropos is a family run pizzaria that has been serving great pizzas and pasta opposite Earlville Shopping Centre for more than 10 years. Home delivery is available to most areas.
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| (07) 40546600 | 490 Mulgrave Rd
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| Verdi's Italian Restaurant (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
A popular restaurant with locals, Verdi's have consistantly outstanding quality Italian food, innovative menus and friendly staff. Live music on weekends make for a lively atmosphere. Private function room available for large groups. 1 Review.
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| (07) 40521010 | 66 Shields St
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| Vivo Bar & Grill (More Info) |
Palm Cove |
This highly acclaimed restaurant just added another award to its long list with the 2008 Restaurant and Catering Award for best Breakfast Restaurant.
Superb service, great quality food and an impressive cocktail and wine list. Enjoy all of this whilst relaxing on the balcony and looking through the palm trees to the beach.
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| (07) 4059 0944 | 49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Australia
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